THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE
What makes The Chief Cornerstone different from the remaining three corners of the foundation of one's structure? The answer is the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation, which is analogous to our spiritual foundation, is important since all other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure.
Cornerstones are important in the building of a physical structure, but even moreso our lives. The cornerstones set the boundaries, give direction and support the load of the structure. All of the cornerstones matter in our lives, but one matters most - The Chief Cornerstone.
In Scripture, Paul wrote to the believers in Ephesus and portrayed them and all future believers as living stones set as part of God's Holy Temple with Christ as The Chief Cornerstone.
"Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord." - Ephesians 2:19-21
Peter paints an even clearer picture of this image in his first letter to those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. These churches were established by men and women who heard the preaching of Peter in Acts 2 and during their time in Jerusalem who then went back to their homeland and taught their neighbors.
'See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone,
and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.'
Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,
'The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,' and,
'A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.'
They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for." - 1 Peter 2:4-8
Notice first of all that the subject of Christ as The Cornerstone is mentioned eight times in just four verses. We see Jesus named "the living Stone", "a stone in Zion", "precious cornerstone", "The stone the builders rejected", "a stone that causes people to stumble" and "a rock that makes them fall" with some repeats thrown in.
Second of all, notice what I have underlined - "you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house...". So, "are being built" implies a process. Yes, Jesus Paid It All, but now sing the rest of that - All To Him I Owe. Christ has Redeemed us with His life and claimed the victory through His Resurrection. However, our part now remains to live a devoted life to Him, hopefully seeing our physical manifestation glorified soon, upon His Return.
In the meantime, a good daily practice would be to die daily to self. However, this practice would be even better if the daily surrender would be initiated by yourself. Luke records Christ speaking to the chief priests and teachers of the law about a verse referring to Himself and them and this daily practice.
I do not want to be crushed. I would rather fall on the stone, Christ Jesus, by humbling myself before Him. Then allow His Potter's Hands to build me again for His purposes until I finally can be set or placed by Him as a Perfected Stone in His Temple one day.
There are many people who do not start life or later in life select a good cornerstone, even moreso - The Chief Cornerstone, Christ Jesus. Who or What is The Chief Cornerstone of your life? The governing force that people place as their anchor, moral compass, peace and security is weak and temporary if Jesus Christ is not The Chief Cornerstone.
Comments
Post a Comment